A multi-dimensional female Muslim character is a rarity on network television, and many Muslim women are applauding Lebanese-born actress Yasmine Al Massri for her portrayal of twin FBI agents Nimah and Raina Amin on ABC’s “Quantico.”
“I’ve never seen a positive veiled woman on television before,” comments the actress. One who was “a hero, smart, sexy and competitive. I feel like I have a very honorable mission.”
Rim-Sarah Alouane, a Ph.D. student studying religious freedom and civil liberties, says the Amin sisters — Raina, the hijabi, and Nimah, who is more secular — help demonstrate the diversity of Muslim women. “There are Muslims who drink; there are Muslims who do not,” notes Ms. Alouane.
Muslim women also appreciate that the Amin twins have their own back stories and motivation that are complex, and don’t simply revolve around men and terrorism. “It’s nice to see them now, especially in the climate we’re in,” comments Gabrielle Deonath, a writer for Brown Girl Magazine. “They kind of normalize who Muslims are and are educating viewers on things like the hijab.”
